SFA In Service Consultation

Primary Age Football

Neil Mackintosh the SFA Regional Manager organised an In Service Consultation for the providers of football at Primary School Age at Elgin City FC, Borough Briggs ground.

Some twenty representatives from as far a field as Fort William, Dingwall and Aberdeen attended the event.

After receiving a presentation from Neil on the latest developments in the SFA Youth Initiative including the Audit of Football Provision and the Quality Mark Scheme the delegates were invited to view a demonstration of the 4 v. 4 Coaching Games and Drills recommended by Manchester United.

Young players from the Ross County Development Squads were put through their paces by SFA Community Coaches Neil Simpson, Jim Crawford, Stewart Glennie and Gavin Levey.

Dribbling Skills warm up session

Neil Simpson SFA Community Coach demonstrates he has lost none of his skills watched by the delegates from the various associations in the North Region.

Dribbling through the Gates Training Drill.

After viewing the coaching session the delegates split into groups and discussed the merits of Trophy Free Football for young players. Various views were given but the majority found that with no trophies there was less pressure on the youngsters and parents and supporters were better behaved..

When the groups discussed the merits of gradually introducing throw ins , offside and the pass back rule there was a wide variety of views. The majority favoured throw ins and the pass back rule. there was less enthusiasm for offside and a retreating line. It is envisaged that these would only be introduced at the P7 stage just before the youngsters move on to the eleven a side game.

It was quite clear that there were differences in the rules that the various Associations operate. There were calls for the some sort of standardisation of the rules.

Its hoped to have similar forums in the East of the Region. the 4 v 4 Demonstration is certainly worth repeating and The Regional Secretary has asked Jim Crawford to give him a date so that teams in and around Aberdeen can see this.